Robert E. Lee 1807 – 1870
Confederate Commander during the American Civil War
Colonel Robert E. Lee led the U.S. army unit that responded to John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Of the incident, Lee wrote in his official report, "the result proves that the plan was the attempt of a fanatic or madman."
Essential Facts
Commanded the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War
Served as a chief aide to Gen. Winfield Scott in the U.S.-Mexican War
Declined to serve as commander of Union forces before accepting Confederate position
Refused to write a memoir or profit from his Civil War experience
Served as President of Washington University
after the war
